Latam Airlines Adjusts Surcharges for GDS Bookings
In a notable shift for travel advisors, South American airline Latam Airlines has announced a new structure for surcharges associated with Global Distribution System (GDS) bookings. The changes, effective May 12, 2023, aim to align costs based on the specific GDS utilized during the booking process.
Current and Upcoming Fee Adjustments
As it stands, Latam imposes a standard surcharge of $13 per segment for GDS bookings using outdated technologies. However, this fee will see increases for certain GDS platforms. For North American bookings made through Amadeus, the surcharge will rise to $15.96, while those using Sabre will face a fee of $14.19. Interestingly, bookings made with Travelport will experience a decrease, with a revised charge of $11 per segment.
Strategic Approach Towards Cost Recovery
Latam Airlines has indicated that these varied surcharges will assist in recovering the specific costs associated with each booking method. In an official update, the airline stated that this approach is part of its broader strategy to optimize operations and enhance service offerings.
NDC Booking Fees Explained
The carrier recently launched New Distribution Capability (NDC) bookings in collaboration with Sabre as of late February. Latam has also established NDC partnerships with Amadeus and Travelport, with launch dates for these alliances to be disclosed soon. Notably, many NDC bookings will incur surcharges as well, reflecting the airline’s commitment to align fees with operational costs.
With regards to specific NDC booking fees, Latam’s announcement includes:
- For Sabre’s NDC bookings, no surcharge applies to basic fare brands, while all other fares will incur a fee of $4 per segment.
- In the case of Amadeus NDC bookings, the surcharges will be $3 for domestic segments and $6 for international travel.
- For Travelport NDC bookings, no surcharge will be applied to the lowest-price fare class available, whereas other fare classes will incur a fee of $2.50 per segment.
These alterations signify a critical adaptation in Latam Airlines’ booking process, strategically tailoring surcharges to reflect the costs associated with different GDS platforms. As travel advisors adjust to these new fee structures, they will need to consider these updates when making bookings to ensure cost-effectiveness for their clients.
For additional information on Latam Airlines’ service and booking options, please visit the [official Latam website](https://www.latam.com) for the most recent updates and news.
